Headliners

Fantastic Friday - Magic - The game

March 21, 1997|By Tim Povtak and George Diaz of The Sentinel Staff

Center Rony Seikaly, who finished with a game-high 28 points Thursday against Golden State, admitted that the last time he played against the Warriors he may have been too excited about the game. Seikaly demanded a trade after playing two seasons at Golden State, and he made no secret at his unhappiness there. When the Magic played at Golden State on March 7, Seikaly was booed from the start to the finish of the game. He had just five points and 12 rebounds. ''When there are 15,000 people out there booing you, it makes you feel kind of good,'' he said. ''If I wasn't a good player, they never would have given me that much attention. I didn't know I was that important.''

It wasn't any halftime speech that got Horace Grant fired up. It was a matter of washing away a woeful first-half performance. Grant was so unhappy with his first half - no points, two turnovers, three rebounds - that he decided he wanted to start over. Grant undressed, took a shower at halftime, then had his ankles retaped, found new socks and a change of uniform. It must have worked. He had 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in the second half. ''I'll have to try that sometime,'' remarked Brian Shaw. ''It sure worked for Horace tonight.''

As if Tiger Woods' gallery at the Bay Hill Invitational isn't big enough, it may grow larger Saturday. Magic guard Penny Hardaway said that he, too, may join the mass of people following Woods. Hardaway and the Magic will return from Boston after tonight's game, and they will not be practicing Saturday.

It's homecoming week for former Magic centers, although Felton Spencer's return was marked with an asterisk. Spencer played in only one game - the season opener against Washington - before he was dispatched to Golden State in a trade involving Seikaly. ''I don't expect a reception at all,'' Spencer said before Thursday's game. Magic fans are likely saving their energy for Sunday's welcome-home ''reception'' for Shaquille O'Neal.

Given the acrimonious circumstances involving the return of O'Neal, security will be enhanced during the Orlando-Los Angeles Lakers matchup on Sunday. Magic officials declined to discuss specifics. O'Neal, who still owns a home at Isleworth, is expected to arrive in Orlando as early as today.

Minutiae: Backup center Danny Schayes, when asked if coach Richie Adubato's ties come from Jerry Garcia's Grateful Dead collection: ''I think in Richie's case, he's more grateful that he's not dead.'' . . . Gary Brokaw, in his second year with the Magic, has been promoted to Director of Scouting/Camps.